Sustainable utilization of granite cutting waste in high strength concrete

• Mechanical and durability parameters of high strength concrete containing granite cutting waste (GCW) are reported.
• The study was conducted at three water-cement ratios (0.30, 0.35 and 0.40).
• Study concluded that 25–40% GCW can be used as a sand substitute in concrete, depending upon water-cement ratios.

The excessive consumption of river sand as a construction material has led to its acute scarcity. Researchers across the globe have attempted to utilize waste of copper slag, rubber tyre, recycled glass, pond ash, foundry sand, plastic, stone etc. as a partial or complete substitute of river sand in concrete. The present study investigates the feasibility of using granite cutting waste (GCW) as a partial substitute of river sand in high strength concrete based on strength, durability & microstructural attributes. Eighteen concrete mixes were cast at 0.30, 0.35 and 0.40 water cement ratios (w/c) by substituting 0%, 10%, 25%, 40%, 55% and 70% river sand by GCW. The concrete mixes were tested for compressive, flexural strength, abrasive resistance, permeability, water absorption, carbonation, corrosion and microstructure; changes in morphology and hydration were also studied. Test results suggested that 25–40% river sand can be substituted by the GCW with a favourable influence on the investigated parameters. The optimum amount of GCW to be used in concrete depends significantly upon water-cement ratio of concrete.